Sabathia goes 5 2/3 innings in 1st start since knee surgery
CC Sabathia's first start since last May was a mixed bag.
One rough inning skewed what was otherwise a rather strong outing for the New York Yankees left-hander in Thursday's 6-3 loss. Sabathia lasted 5 2/3 innings against the Toronto Blue Jays, allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits while striking out eight. He was pulled with two outs in the sixth in favor of right-hander Esmil Rogers.
"Something to build on," Sabathia said about his outing. "No walks. Not a lot of good contact."
Sabathia, who made three spring training starts after coming off season-ending knee surgery, allowed four of the runs on five singles in the second inning. Toronto didn't barrel the ball up but found enough holes to send eight men to the plate and take an early lead.
The 14-year veteran settled in nicely after that, striking out five of the six batters he faced over the next two innings. He induced 15 swings and misses and threw first-pitch strikes to 15 of the 24 batters he faced.
Sabathia is coming off the worst season of his career, during which he was limited to eight starts as a result of the right knee injury. He pitched to a 5.28 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in 46 innings.
He's lined up to make his second start of the season Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles.